Igor Semshov, a former midfielder for the Russian national team, praised Spartak Moscow’s new signing Manfred Ugalde. His reflections were captured on Match TV.
Semshov remarked that the club may have landed a player who resembles a modern playmaker in style. He noted that Ugalde still needs time to adapt after arriving from a different league, but highlighted the striker’s technical qualities, ball control, and willingness to press. According to Semshov, these attributes show up in the way Ugalde works with teammates and anticipates plays, and they signal potential partnerships that Spartak could explore in the near future. The assessment underscored that the newcomer possesses skills that could complement Spartak’s tactical plans and raise the team’s attacking options, even as he adjusts to a new footballing culture.
Ugalde transferred to Spartak in January 2024 for a reported €13 million, with an additional €2 million possible in bonuses. He made his debut for the club on February 7, facing Rostov during a training camp in the United Arab Emirates. The switch marked a high-profile move for Spartak in the winter window, with the club aiming to bolster its attacking line as the season progressed.
In the current campaign, the striker appeared in 25 matches across all competitions for Twente, tallying 9 goals and 7 assists in those appearances. The experience from the Dutch league has been cited by observers as a useful gauge for his goal-scoring instincts and ability to create opportunities for teammates, traits that could translate well within Spartak’s system as he settles in.
As the Russian Premier League resumes after the winter break, Krasnodar sits atop the table with 38 points, while Spartak trails in fifth place with 30 points. The league’s second half is set to begin in March, with Spartak looking to close the gap on the leaders. In one notable result from the late first half of the season, Spartak defeated Zenit St. Petersburg in the 19th round, an outcome that added momentum to their push for a high finish. The upcoming schedule includes an away match against Zenit, a test that could prove pivotal for Spartak’s ambitions in the second half of the campaign.
Earlier comments from critics and insiders pointed to the lighter, humorous side of Ugalde’s integration, with one expert joking that the forward had earned a small jubilee in the form of a box of cognac thanks to his entertaining presence in Spartak’s ranks. Such anecdotes reflect the warming reception among staff and supporters as Ugalde begins to establish his role within the squad.